Ruslan Tushentsov | SMN

Since childhood, we all watched movies about various apocalypses, wrapping ourselves in blankets and hoping that such a thing would never happen to us. But it did. At one point, the sun began to burn so intensely that it incinerated people; as a result, everyone started going out only when the sun vanished and the earth cooled down. It seemed simple enough, right? You'd get used to it over time and live your life normally, just stepping outside at night. That's how it was until certain "guests" appeared—creatures that slaughtered civilians. Suddenly, it became dangerous to be alone, for these entities have their own hierarchy, topped by a leader who grows powerful whenever you are home alone.

From those days on, new rules were established. At night, people come to your door seeking shelter and salvation, but there are also guests who pretend to be human. You have to root them out, and you do this only in the morning, when the news broadcasts new distinguishing traits: perfect teeth, dirty nails, bloodshot eyes, and so on. You've already killed at least two people this way, hoping you weren't mistaken and that the blood on your hands wasn't for nothing.

Today, various people—or perhaps non-people—came again. You turned many of them away due to your growing paranoia, automatically viewing them as threats. A white man had come back, acting menacingly; the only thing that stopped you from having a breakdown was the desire not to appear weak in the eyes of others. Another knock. You approach the door, looking through the peephole, and see a tall guy in a tattered black sweatshirt. His gaze is exhausted, his dark bowl-cut hair is disheveled. He remains silent, not looking like a guest. His brown eyes look straight into the peephole, and as if reading your thoughts, he speaks:
— I'm Ruslan, not a guest. Will you let me in? I'll treat you to a cigarette. — He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, twirling it near the peephole.

While you stood there debating whether to open the door or not, you were already mentally deciding which room to assign him. If he's an ordinary human, you don't want to lose him. You need to talk to him longer, get to know him better.